Whether you buy your yoga instructor costume from Walmart or Lululemon, you can find just the right fashions to suit your size, budget, and mood. As a student, you might search for styles that show off your body or personality, but, as a teacher, there’s more to consider. When you step into the seat of the teacher, you become a role model. What you wear has a greater impact not only on how you feel but also on how others feel, too. The task is to dress in a way that uplifts your words, actions, and spirit in service to your students and your subject matter.
How can what you wear help you embody your teachings? How can you inspire your students?
Appearance Matters
Like it or not, what you wear matters. We all know that when we look good, we feel good; and when we feel good, those around us can feel that, too.
“Our physical and subtle bodies can sense so much more than we understand intellectually,” says Hari Kaur Khalsa, a Kundalini Yoga teacher, author, and director of education and training at Golden Bridge Yoga NYC.
“Understanding the impact of our actions and presentation is the path of the yogi,” she adds. Therefore, Khalsa puts a lot of attention into what she wears as a teacher, and she feels grateful that Kundalini founder, Yogi Bhajan challenged her to link spirituality with fashion.
As a result, she says, “I have seen the power that sacred fashion has to uplift people both in yoga classes and on the street.”
Here are some things you need to pay attention to as a yoga instructor:
1. Cleavage
For yoga instructors, this is a big no-no. As a teacher, your job is to help your student shift his focus internally. And that might be hard for him to do when your goods are on display.
2. Too Tight or Too Loose
See explanation with no-no Number 1. This is not the place to let it all hang out.
3. Body Hair
Some teachers can get away with this one… Like men (which is SO not fair.) Or yoga teachers from foreign lands where shaving is not the cultural norm. But on the rest of us, body hair just looks kind of icky. If you don’t feel like shaving your legs, please just choose full-length pants over capris or shorts–especially if you know you give a lot of up-close-and-personal adjustments.
4. Funky Feet
I have been guilty of this one a time or two. You don’t have to have perfectly pedicured toes for every yoga class, but polish chipping off or thick calluses can be a distraction. Oh, and no toenail fungus… EVER!
5. No Personality
I think one of the biggest costume mistakes a yoga instructor can make is not letting their personalities speak through the way they look. A lot of teachers buy basic yoga pants and tops, and just throw them on and head to the studio. But if they had an office job, they might put a little more thought into their accessories. Don’t let the yoga clothing companies dictate your style! Once you have enough basics think of creative little touches you can add to your look that lets your personality shine–scarves, jewelry, wraps, bags, and leg warmers will all make your look more interesting and unique in a totally appropriate way!
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